Following the recent launch of the “INVEST in Her” TVET Campaign, WUSC, a leading Canadian non-profit organisation has held the maiden edition of the INVEST forum under the theme “Women in TVET: Collaborating for Greater Impact”.

The purpose of the forum was to promote networking, exchange of knowledge, and  also to harness the diverse experiences and best practices of stakeholders in technical and vocational education (TVET).

The event forms part of efforts of the INVEST Project to foster collaboration and create an enabling environment for young women in the TVET sector.

Speaking to Joy Business at the event, Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum-Ampofo revealed that Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and TVET have become a core part her ministry’s plan hence the decision to invest a chunk of its resources to advance the TVET agenda.

She therefore projected that government is working towards attaining 60% STEM and 40% Humanity.

“In the next five years, we expect the ratios of humanities as well as science and technology at our technical universities will improve; that is we are trying to work towards 60% science and technology and 40” humanities. But as of now the humanities are higher”

On her part, Project Director for INVEST, Miss Appiah Boakye underscored the need for the forum as it will leverage strategies for advancing gender equality and social inclusion in non- traditional trades.

She further stated that the intent is to bring together approximately 100 participants from both public and private sector, traditional leaders, TVET institutions and Civil Society Organizations.

Through the INVEST initiative, WUSC is utilising an inclusive market systems approach to strengthen the capacity of a diverse array of TVET stakeholders to support women trainees, graduates, artisans and entrepreneurs in male-dominated trades.

It further provides a unique opportunity to strengthen and connect TVET system actors on both the supply and demand side of the labour market.

Leveraging on partner expertise, WUSC is working with the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), ABANTU for Development, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), Ghana Chamber of Construction and Industry, Women in Law and Development, Self-Search Ghana, Ghana TVET Service, Lyme Haus Solutions, Farm Radio International and other partners.

With diverse initiatives, the partners will improve the capacity of system actors within the TVET system to deliver market-relevant and gender-sensitive training and support services to young women in Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, and Accra.